THURSDAY, Sept. 6 — Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic novella gets reworked with melodies that are enjoyable for both thuggish fiends and upstanding citizens.

“I’m generally not a musical person, but I loved the music when I heard it. I knew it was something I wanted to do,” Riverwalk Theatre director Tom Ferris said. “I honestly believe people are inherently good. It’s about the two personalities everyone has and the struggle to do good.”

First adapted as a musical in 1990, “Jekyll & Hyde: The Musical” landed 1,543 performances on Broadway from 1997 to 2001. It last ran on Broadway in 2013.

Though many productions portray Hyde as a supernatural beast like figure, Riverwalk is doing things differently.

It is important to portray Hyde as human, because it makes the story more relatable, Ferris said.“There is evil in all of us, and most of us do a good job at controlling it. The question is who is the real person: the good or the evil? That is dilemma.”

The heavy emphasis on musical elements presents a challenge for the Riverwalk’s veterans and newcomers.

“Fortunately, Lansing has a wide variety of capable people. About 25 percent of this production is new people, while some have been leads and now are in the chorus.”

“Jekyll & Hyde: The Musical” will keep folks on the edge of their seats, Ferris said.

“It will leave people exhilarated, thrilled, frightened and thoughtful.”